Aston Villa are looking for a new manager following the decision to part company with Tim Sherwood.

Sherwood left Villa Park following Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Swansea, a sixth straight defeat which left the club bottom of the Barclays Premier League table after Sunderland’s derby win on Sunday.

Here Press Association Sport looks at the contenders to take over.

REMI GARDE

Former Lyon manager Remi Garde has emerged as the early favorite with the bookmakers and held talks with Newcastle last season before the appointment of Steve McClaren.

Garde, who played with Arsenal so knows the Premier League, left Lyon in 2014 to take a break from the game for personal reasons.

Although his time with Arsenal was back in 1998 he has a proven managerial record having won the Coupe de France in 2012 during three seasons in charge at the Stade de Gerland.

DAVID MOYES

The former Everton and Manchester United manager is under pressure in Spain as Real Sociedad struggle in the Primera Division.

With the team just above the relegation zone, Moyes’ days in Spain could be numbered although he did celebrate a 4-0 victory at Levante on Sunday.

The Scotsman has already been linked with the job and has Premier League experience following his time at Goodison Park and Old Trafford.

BRENDAN RODGERS

The former Liverpool manager took the Anfield club to the verge of Premier League trophy success two seasons ago, only to fail to haul in Manchester City in the title run-in.

Having forged his reputation at Watford, Reading and Swansea he got the job of Liverpool manager in succession to Kenny Dalglish.

Following a 1-1 draw with Everton, Rodgers was sacked. He would see the Villa job as an ideal way to get back into management.

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NIGEL PEARSON

Having established Leicester in the Premier League Pearson can take some credit for the side which has made a fine start to the season under Claudio Ranieri.

He signed Jamie Vardy from Fleetwood and the striker has gone on to make his England debut this year.

Off-field controversies dogged Pearson during his final days at Leicester and that could count against him in the eyes of Villa owner Randy Lerner.

BOB BRADLEY

The former United States head coach is currently in charge of Norwegian club Stabaek who lie second in the Tippeligaen standings to Rosenborg.

Having made his name in Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire, New Jersey MetroStars and Chivas USA he was appointed USA coach in 2007, guiding them to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa where they topped a group including England before a second round exit to Ghana.

He left the USA job in 2011 and was quickly appointed to manage the Egyptian national side, but after failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup his contract was not extended.

SEAN DYCHE

Burnley’s manager has Premier League experience from the Clarets’ single campaign in the top flight last season.

As one of the most upwardly mobile young English managers he has forged a reputation which sees his name come into the frame for Premier League management vacancies.

With Burnley currently third in the Sky Bet Championship table he might think twice about exchanging a promotion challenge for a relegation battle.

GARY ROWETT

The Birmingham manager has seen his reputation grow after a year in charge which has seen the club transformed from relegation candidates to genuine promotion challengers.

Managers have crossed the city divide before with Alex McLeish being the most recent.

The main thing that counts against the former Burton boss is his lack of Premier League experience.